Advantages And Applications Of Ultrasonic Flow Meters

Measuring the rate at which liquids and gases flow through pipelines is critical for numerous industries, from petrochemical processing to food and beverage production. There are many different types of instruments that can be used for flow measurement, but these may involve opening the line to install a probe or device. This can result in lost production, extensive delays, and even hazardous conditions for workers. However, ultrasonic flow meter technology offers perhaps the best method of flow measurement in these applications. There are a number of reasons why these devices are used so frequently across multiple industries. Read on to learn more about what makes these the superior choice when compared to other methods.

The Advantages of Ultrasonic Flow Meters

Ultrasonic flow meters utilize sensors that generate and pick up sound waves that are transmitted into a pipeline. There are two main types of technologies:

• Transit-time ultrasonic flow meters, which measures the time difference between a wave traveling upstream and another downstream
• Doppler ultrasonic flow meters, which measures the difference in wavelength of a sonic beam reflected by particles in the liquid

Although there are differences in how they measure flow, both types offer many of the same benefits, including:

• Ease of installation — Because they don’t require any equipment to be inserted directly into the pipe, these can be installed in a matter of moments. They simply clamp onto the outside of the pipeline.
• Minimal disruption — Unlike mechanical flow meters that must be installed inside the pipe, ultrasonic meters don’t require the pipeline to be opened. That means the material can continue flowing, maintaining production with virtually no interruption.
• Low maintenance — Containing no moving parts, ultrasonic flow meters require practically no upkeep and can remain in operation unattended for a much longer period of time.
• Accuracy — Both types offer high degrees of accuracy when it comes to measurements, with transit-time technology providing even higher rates than Doppler-based devices.
• Energy efficiency — Without mechanical parts needed to measure flow, ultrasonic meters consume less energy than other types.
• Versatility — These feature a number of different outputs, including digital readouts and connectivity to the internet. This makes them a good fit for a wide range of systems.

Applications of Ultrasonic Flow Meters

The number of ultrasonic flow meter applications across multiple industries are virtually limitless. Practically any type of operation that depends on liquid or gas transmitted through a pipeline can take advantage of this technology and everything it has to offer. Among the many ultrasonic flow meter industrial applications are:

• Feed and process water for mining operations
• Glycol concentration measurement for natural gas dehydration
• Dewatering of hydrocarbon storage tanks
• Leakage control in compressed air systems for manufacturing plants
• Sugar concentration measurement in food and beverage production
• Activated sludge monitoring for wastewater treatment
• Leak detection for underground water mains
• Gas measurement for semiconductor production
• Starch concentration measurement in paper production
• Engine fuel consumption monitoring for marine applications
• Liquid natural gas flow measurement

Trust FLEXIM for Ultrasonic Flow Meter Technology

Ultrasonic flow meters represent an accurate, non-intrusive solution for measuring liquid and gas flow in countless applications throughout numerous industries. Their clamp-on design, low-maintenance operation, and other qualities make them ideal for practically any company dealing with pipelines. As a leading manufacturer of these technologies with a broad range of experience serving many types of customers, FLEXIM offers the best range of solutions utilizing these systems.

If you want to learn more about how to choose a flow meter for your specific application, follow the link. To get started on adding these capabilities to your operations with the help of FLEXIM, reach out and speak with one of our representatives today.